BALTIMORE, Md. — First responders were first in line for the vaccine, and Baltimore’s top firefighter didn’t balk at the chance.
Now, Fire Chief Niles Ford is urging others to follow suit.
“In May, 2020, I tested positive for COVID-19,” said Ford. “Fortunately, I was able to recover from this virus while taking the necessary precautions to protect myself and others. That is why I am strong support of COVID-19 vaccine.”
Both COVID cases and the positivity rate have dropped in the city by almost 60 percent in the last month, but the shortage of vaccine is a problem here as it is elsewhere, with all of last week’s shipments canceled by harsh winter conditions across the country.
“We are pleased to announce that a shipment came this morning,” said City Health Officer Dr. Letitia Dzirasa. “However, we have been advised that other shipments can be expected to be delayed this week.”
In addition to the state’s mass vaccination site at the Baltimore Convention Center Field Hospital, another site will open at M&T Bank Stadium this week, but Mayor Brandon Scott is frustrated that the state has ignored his previous requests to set aside doses for the city’s elderly at those sites…as many as 15,000 of them.
RELATED: M&T Bank Stadium COVID-19 vaccination appointments quickly fill up on day one of registration
“At least half, you would think to have at least half, by my opinion, half of the site’s vaccinations given at those sites should go to the jurisdiction,” said Scott. “We know that is not the case as of yet and we’re going to continue to work and push with the state to see if we can get those things happening.”
